Black, Blackburn co-found, elected as leaders of GOP women’s caucus

U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Diane Black, and some dudes in black suits

U.S. Rep. Diane Black says via a presser Tuesday that she, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn and 22 other female Republican lawmakers are joining together to form the Women’s Policy Committee. The group is meant to raise the profile of Republican women as lawmakers.

“Make no mistake, these aren’t just leaders on so-called ‘women’s issues,’ these are women leaders on all issues,” Speaker John Boehner said in support. “I am confident the Women’s Policy Committee will offer a fresh, new perspective on a vast array of challenges confronting Congress and be an important voice for the Republican Conference.”

U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack of California was elected chairman (the use of the “-man” suffix is theirs). Blackburn and U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle were elected vice chairmen. Black was elected to the council’s seven-woman steering committee.